Multi-purpose container with a picture frame

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a multi-purpose container with a picture frame attached to a body portion of the container. The shape of the body of the container may include shapes of a figure, person, animals, characters, geometric shapes and other forms. The function of the present invention is enhanced by a detachable picture frame which hangs on a branch portion of an attaching mechanism which is simultaneously attached to the body of the present invention. The picture frame may be used to hold a picture, photo, menu and other items.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean patent application no. 20-0214290, filed on Aug. 5, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is related to a multi-purpose container with a picture frame that may be used to contain a variety of items, such as office supplies or flowers wherein the shape of the body of the container may include a figure of a person, animals or geometric shapes (e.g., rectangle, cylinder, etc.) and wherein the picture frame attached to the container may be used to hold a picture, photo, food menu and other items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Individuals use various types of containers in offices, homes and other places to hold a variety of small items as well as a variety of decorative items, such as flowers. In another example, people use various containers in offices to hold office supplies, such as pens, pencils, scissors, and rulers, for example. The shapes of the containers are generally simple shapes, such as a square, rectangle or cylinder. These containers are generally placed on a desk, table or other visible area.

[0004] However, traditional containers usually serve the sole purpose of containing items wherein the containers take up a certain amount of space. If an individual desires to also display a framed photo, a separate additional frame requiring additional space may be used. However, additional space may be limited in many instances.

[0005] Public places such as restaurants, resting areas or stores often place containers on tables with artificial flowers to provide a favorable atmosphere for dining, resting and other activities. However, placing an additional object to hold a menu or other item may be difficult as sufficient space is not available. Generally, individuals use containers to hold a variety of items with an additional separate picture frame. Placing each of these items in a different location takes extra space, which may be limited.

[0006] These and other problems exist with current containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a multi-purpose container with a picture frame attached to a body portion of the container. The shape of the body of the container may include shapes of a figure, person, animals, characters, geometric shapes and other forms. The function of the present invention is enhanced by a detachable picture frame which hangs on a branch portion of an attaching mechanism which is simultaneously attached to the body of the present invention. The picture frame may be used to hold a picture, photo, menu and other items.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-purpose container comprises a body portion with a vertical opening for holding at least one object; a frame portion connected to the body portion for holding at least one of a picture, photo or paper; and a branch portion comprising a horizontal hanging portion and a vertical attaching portion wherein the horizontal hanging portion is attached to the frame portion for enabling the frame portion to hang from the horizontal hanging portion and the vertical attaching portion is connected to the body portion by an attachment mechanism wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a protruding portion on the vertical attaching portion and a corresponding groove portion on the body portion for securely attaching the body portion to the frame portion.

[0009] The multi-purpose container may further include a body portion in the shape of one of a person, an animal and geometric shape. The multi-purpose container of the present invention may further include an attachment mechanism comprising at least one screw for securely attaching the body portion to the frame portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The FIG. 1 is an example of a multi-purpose container, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] The FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present invention includes a multi-purpose container with a detachable picture frame. The container may be used to hold a variety of items, including office supplies and flowers in offices, homes, restaurants and other private or public places. The shape of the body of the invention may include a variety of aesthetically pleasing shapes including that of people, animals, cartoon characters or geometric shapes. The picture frame may hang on a branch portion of the present invention to hold a picture, photo or food menu.

[0013]FIG. 1 is an illustrative drawing of an example of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention may comprise a body portion (1) in the form of a tree, for example, and a picture frame (2) that is attached to a branch portion (3) that extends out from the body portion (1) of the present invention. The structure of the body portion (1) of the present invention may include a variety of shapes, including that of figures, people, characters and other objects. In this example, the body portion (1) may be formed in the shape of a tree with a branch portion (3) having the shape of a branch of a tree. The picture frame portion (2) may be in the shape of a fruit or other shape in accordance with a theme provided by the body portion and the branch portion.

[0014] The picture frame portion (2) may be fixed directly to the body portion (1) of the invention or it may be detachable from the body portion (1). As shown in FIG. 2, the tree-shaped body portion (1) may include at least one inserting groove (4) in the body portion (1) of the present invention. The branch portion (3) may include a corresponding at least one inserting projection (5) wherein the inserting groove (4) of the body portion (1) receives the inserting projection (5) of the branch portion(3). The branch portion (3) and the picture frame (2) may both be detachable. The picture frame (2) may be detachable through the use of screws or by employing other inserting mechanisms. The shape of the picture frame (2) may vary in accordance with the overall design of the body portion. Further, a body portion of the picture frame (2 a) may also be formed of a design corresponding to the design of the picture frame (2). A picture-inserting part (2 b) may be formed to correspond to the body portion of the picture frame (2 a). Glass, transparent plastic or other similar material may be used for a front part of the picture-inserting part (2 b) to cover and protect the picture (or other item) in the picture frame (2). The back of the picture frame (2) may have a similar structure. A picture or photo may be directly inserted through a picture-inserting hole (2 c). With this particular picture frame (2), the multi-function container provides various holding purposes and aesthetic purposes when placed in offices, homes, restaurants and other private and public places. This present invention may be used as a vase for flowers (artificial or real) or as a container for small items. By enabling a picture or menu to hang from a container, the present invention provides the function of conserving valuable space.

[0015] As described above, the body of the invention may have any shape including that of a person, animals, cartoon characters or geometric shapes. A picture, photo or menu can be inserted into the picture frame attached to the body of the invention. This invention provides aesthetic purposes as it may be used as a decorative item in offices, houses and public places, and at the same time, as a container for small items. The invention maximizes the use of space since it has a picture frame, which holds a picture, photo or menu, attached to the body of the invention in addition to its function as a container for small items or artificial flowers. 

1. A multi-purpose container comprising: a body portion with a vertical opening for holding at least one object; a frame portion connected to the body portion for holding at least one of a picture, photo or paper; and a branch portion comprising a horizontal hanging portion and a vertical attaching portion wherein the horizontal hanging portion is attached to the frame portion for enabling the frame portion to hang from the horizontal hanging portion and the vertical attaching portion is connected to the body portion by an attachment mechanism wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a protruding portion on the vertical attaching portion and a corresponding groove portion on the body portion for securely connecting the body portion and the frame portion.
 2. The multi-purpose container of claim 1 wherein the body portion is in the shape of one of a person, an animal and geometric shape.
 3. The multi-purpose container of claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises at least one screw for securely attaching the body portion and the frame portion. 